Arts
An Italian-Iranian Finds Belonging in His Grandmother’s First Hello
As a man of Iranian and Italian ethnic roots, I have experienced two things: mixed-race romanticism and the physical dispersion of my family around the world. The latter has always been a challenge, made more noticeable by hard border closures […]
How Being Half Korean Defined One Artist’s Search for Identity
When John Kim Faye deserved a good scolding as a child, his mother lapsed into her native Korean, leaving him somewhere between bewildered and amused. Sure, he was half Korean, but Faye didn’t speak that language, having been born in […]
‘Yellowface’: A Satire You Can’t Put Down
Just stand in your local bookstore and read the opening pages from “Yellowface.” R.F. Kuang’s novel will lure you in with the irresistible bait of a solid, culturally wrenching plot. How can a writer take the story of someone else […]
The Popular CurlFest Beauty Festival Returns July 15
Ever heard of CurlFest? The black hair care market in the United Stated is estimated to reach $4.5 billion. It’s a massive industry with thousands of products and vendors. Yet in 2010, when one member of a group of women […]
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ is a Must Watch
The highly anticipated film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” will be released in October. Directed by Oscar winner Martin Scorsese, the film recounts the brutal killings of members of the Osage, whose oil-rich lands in Oklahoma White settlers wanted to […]
One Layer Deeper: ‘Polite Society,’ A Fun Romp Infused With Pakistani Culture Plus Adorable Film Shorts
In this edition of One Layer Deeper, we review a movie about a Pakistani martial artist, along with a series of short films. Let’s get right into it! ‘POLITE SOCIETY’ “Polite Society” is a playful romp from writer/director Nida Manzoor, […]
On the Challenges of Filial Piety While Interacting Across Borders
“You are 34 now, have you considered settling down? When do you think you are ready for a marriage and to build your nuclear family? Eventually, you need to have your life partner and offspring.” “Last week, your grandma didn’t […]
A ‘Classic TCK’ Living With Unresolved Grief Learns How to Heal Through A Messy First Draft That Blossoms Into A Memoir
For a long time, I didn’t know what was wrong with me. As the daughter of a Korean diplomat, I had a privileged global upbringing. I studied at Oxford University, then started a promising career working at a Big Four […]